STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Environmental & Sustainability
AGENDA DATE: April 10, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize adoption of the 2024 Water Conservation Five-Year Work Plan for the City of Dallas - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
Title 30, Chapter 288, Subchapter A of Texas Administrative Code requires that retail and wholesale water providers submit a water conservation plan to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) every five years. The 2024 Water Conservation Five-Year Work Plan (Work Plan) is a road map for compliance with the State’s water conservation mandate. It is also a significant component of Dallas’ Long-Range Water Supply strategies in an effort to: delay the need to develop expensive water supplies, extend the life of existing water supplies and infrastructure and to lower capital and operating costs of the existing system.
Despite population increases and periodic drought, water demand is greatly reduced over the past two decades. As the City’s water conservation efforts have expanded and matured, the next five years will focus on further increasing the efficiency of the Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) water system and targeted programming for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) customers.
For the last year, staff has been gathering and analyzing program data in preparation for the updates to the water conservation plans. Between August and November 2023, Water Conservation staff distributed a community survey requesting input for the plan and met with the community in person at 15 Budget Townhalls, 10 ForwardDallas Open Houses, and four water conservation community meetings, providing an overview of the programs. Additional public outreach efforts included the Texas State Fair, Conservation on the Plaza, and Water Wise Landscape Tour events.
The Work Plan identifies strategies for continuation and implementation based on the DWU water use profile, estimated water savings, benefits, and costs. Additionally, staff will review ordinances and regulations relating to landscaping from multiple southwest U.S. cities.
The selected strategies are projected to achieve an average per capita reduction of 0.94% per year over the five-year planning horizon. The plan will be monitored annually, and necessary adjustments will be made to achieve the stated goal.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 11, 2023. <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY%2022-23%20Memos/Memo%20-%20Water%20Conservation%20-%205%20Year%20Work%20Plan%20-%20Community%20Meetings%20(1).pdf>
The Environmental Commission was briefed by memorandum on the “City of Dallas Water Conservation Five-Year Work Plan Community Survey” on September 13, 2023.
The Parks, Trails, and the Environment Committee was briefed on the “Drafts of 2024 Five-Year Conservation Work Plan & Water Conservation Plan (State Required) on March 4, 2024.
The Environmental Commission was briefed on the “Drafts of 2024 Five-Year Water Conservation Work Plan & 2024 Water Conservation Plan (State Required) on March 6, 2024.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.